Influence of intermediate foil on air-foil bearings performance and exploitation properties.

Abstract

Air-foil technology is an interesting alternative for classic rolling or oil bearings in turbomachinery. It ensures low power losses, do not require external lubrication or pressurization and is capable of working with high rotational speeds. Numerous studies brought significant improvement in materials and design solutions for the aerodynamic shaft support system. The paper presents effects of modification performed by adding intermediate foil to typical structure of air-foil bearing. The main aim of the investigation was focused on analyze of its influence on characteristic parameters and exploitation properties of operating bearing, i.e. bearing load capacity and bearing resistance to thermal runaway phenomenon [4]. The thermal runaway is also known as foil bearing thermal instability. The tests confirmed proper behavior of the modified device and brought new knowledge in air-foil technology field.